Actuating mechanism for push button switch operating devices



A. A. Di PILLA Aug. 13, 1968 ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR PUSH BUTTON SWITCH OPERATING DEVICES 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 29, 1965 FlG. I

FIG.3

FIG.5

INVENTOR ANTHONY A. DI PILLA ATTORNEY 3, 1968 A. A. DI PILLA 3,396,602

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR PUSH BUTTON SWITCH OPERATING DEVICES Filed Dec. 29, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ANTHONY A. Di PILLA ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,396,602 ACTUATHQG MECHANISM FOR PUSH BUTTON SWITCH OPERATING DEVICES Anthony A. Di Pilla, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Rohertshaw Controls Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 29, 1966, Ser. No. 605,680 20 Claims. (Cl. 74-503) This invention relates generally to an illuminated push button switch operating device, and, more particularly, to the actuating mechanism for such a switch operating device.

Illuminated push button switches have attained wide spread use in conjunction with control consoles and control panels wherein a plurality of such switches are mounted in plural arrangements. Switching units of this type include a casing which is secured in place to the panel in which the unit is to be mounted and has means at one end for mounting any one of a variety of switches. The actuating means for the switch extends the length of the casing beginning with an operator actuated portion at the panel end of the casing and terminating at the other end with a plunger portion adjacent the switch mounting means. A bulb carrying holder is positioned intermediate the ends of the casing. It is necessary from time to time to replace the bulbs which can be done most conveniently from the front of the mounting panel. The operator actuating portion is therefore arranged so it can be removed from the casing to provide access to the bulbs. Some switching units of this type are arranged so the bulb holder can be removed from the casing with the operator actuated portion. After a bulb or bulbs have been replaced it is necessary to insert the bulb holder and operator actuating portion in the casing. This operation presents a problem in applications where it is very important that the switch not be operated When the operator actuating portion is positioned in the casing. Special care must be exercised when using prior known illuminated push button actuating mechanisms to avoid such accidental actuation of the switch apparatus.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an illuminated push button switch actuating assembly with a removable operator actuating portion which cannot cause a switch mounted at the end of the casing for the unit to be actuated when the operator actuated portion is inserted into the casing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple, compact motion translating unit having two portions which when initially moved toward one another are prevented from assuming a motion translating position and automatically assume such a position in response to reversal of such initial movement to a predetermined degree.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple, compact motion translating unit having two main subassemblies which when moved relative to one another in a separating direction from a motion translating position are automatically conditioned to prevent resumption of the motion translating position when again moved toward one another.

Still another object of the present invention is to in clude such a motion translating unit in an illuminated push button switch assembly in which the position of the operator actuating portion of the switch assembly directly determines the position of one portion of the motion translating unit.

In practicing the present invention the push button switch actuating assembly includes a casing to which a switch apparatus can be mounted at one end. The actuating means of the assembly includes an operator actuated portion which is slidably disposed at the other end for 3,396,602 Patented Aug. 13, 1968 "ice movement by a person operating the assembly and a plunger portion movable with respect to the casing to act on the switch apparatus with a motion translating portion positioned intermediate the operator actuated portion and the plunger portion. The motion translating portion and plunger portion provide the motion translating unit. The operator actuated portion is removable from the casing. The plunger portion and motion translating portion each have an abutment which when engaged with one another place the plunger portion and motion translating portion in a motion translating position. With the operator actuated portion removed from the case the motion translating portion and plunger portion are in a non-motion translating position. An abutment positioning means is provided which during insertion of the operator actuated portion prevents engagement of the abutments upon movement of the motion translating portion toward the plunger portion in response to insertion of the operator actuated portion and thus prevents the motion translating and plunger portions from assuming a motion translating position. A stop is provided which limits the distance the operator actuated portion can move when inserted. Means biasing the motion translating portion toward the operator actuated portion, which may take the form of a spring, causes the operator actuated portion to be moved toward the other end of the casing with the motion translating portion to a ready to operate position when the force applied to insert the operator actuated portion is removed. Stop means is provided limiting the outward movement of the operator actuated portion. The outward movement of the motion translating portion relative to the plunger portion is suflicient to cause the abutment positioning means to eifect the positioning of the abutments relative to one another so subsequent movement of the motion translating portion toward the plunger portion by inward displacement of the operator actuated portion causes the abutments to engage one another. The operator actuated portion, the motion translating portion and the plunger portion can then be moved as a single actuating unit toward the switch apparatus to be actuated upon application of an actuating force to the operator actuated portion. A spring is positioned for compression by movement of the plunger portion in response to inward motion of the operator actuated portion and acts to return the entire actuating means to the ready to operate position when the force acting on the operator actuator portion is removed.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an illuminated push button switch assembly embodying the present invention with parts in phantom;

FIG. 2 is an exploded vertical cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of FIG, 1 in its initial step of being assembled;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but shown in its ready to operate assembled position;

'FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but showing its positon when operated from the position of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-section of a detail taken along line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial cross-section of the motion translating portion and plunger portion in their respective positions when the operator actuating portion is separated from the base unit;

FIG, 8 is a partial cross-section similar to FIG. 7 but with the motion translating portion and plunger portion shown in the positions when the operator actuating portion is being inserted upon the base unit;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-section similar to FIG. 8 but with the motion translating portion and plunger portion shown in the ready to operate position;

FIG. is a partial crosssection of a detail taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a detail of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a detail of FIG. 7.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG 1 and FIG. 2 show a switch operating mechanism of modular design constructed in accordance with the principles of this in vention. The actuating elements for the mechanism are mounted for movement relative to a casing 46 and comprise an operator actuated portion A and a motion trans lating unit B. The unit B includes a motion translating portion or subassembly 81 and plunger portion or subassembly 76. With the motion translating unit B in a ready to operate position the portion 81 is acted on by the actuator rod 16 of unit A for moving the plunger portion 76 to operate a switch unit C carried at the end of a casing 46. The switching apparatus and contacts of the switch unit C are of conventional design and will not be described in detail inasmuch as any suitable electric switch may be utilized. A bulb or lamp mount 28 is carried by the operator actuated portion A to facilitate bulb replacement. The lamp mount has electric power applied to it via a terminal block 70 positioned between the switch mounting end of casing 46 and the lamp mount 28.

The operator actuated portion A includes a frame 11 with opposed side walls 4 and 6 each having an inwardly bent top flange. A lens holder box 2 (details not shown) is positioned between the opposed side walls 4 and 6, A translucent or transparent lens 16 covers the upper end of the lens holder box 2 and is positioned between the upper end of the box 2 and the top flanges of side walls 4 and 6. The switch actuating mechanism is operated by pushing on the lens 10 when tthe portion A is mounted in the casing 46.

The frame 11 includes a transverse member (not shown) which extends between the two walls 4 and 6. The box 2 is thus held in place between the lens 10 and the transverse member (not shown). A pair of guide legs 12 and 14 having an L-shaped cross section extend downwardly from side walls 4 and 6, respectively, and may be formed as an integral part of the frame 11. An actuator rod 16 is included in the operator actuating portion A and extends centrally downwardly beyond the lens box holder 2. Rod 16 may be conveniently attached to the transverse member (not shown) extending between the walls 4 and 6 or may be formed as an integral part of the transverse member. The rod 16 is a substantially flat elongated strip of generally rectangular cross section having its major axes aligned with the major axis of the frame 11. As shown in FIG. 8, the edges of the rod 16 provide camming surfaces which at the lower portion of actuator rod 16 vary in accordance with the tapered and outwardly extending projections 18 and 20 and neckdowned portion of the rod 16 providing depressions 22 and 24 between the projections 18 and 20 and two outwardly extending projections 23 and 25 at the end of the rod 16. The end of the rod 16 provides an abutment surface 26.

The lamp-holder or bulb mount 28 is carried by the operator actuated portion A and has a plurality of spaced bulbs 30, which are secured to the mount 28 as by screw threads or bayonet sockets (not shown) and which have bulb contacts 31 on the undersurface of the mount 28. As is apparent from FIGS. 3S, the lens holder box 2 has recesses for the bulbs to permit the frame 11 to be moved relative to the bulb mount 38 without touching the bulbs 30. The bulb mount 28 has a pair of L-shaped openings 32 and 34 (FIG. 1) through which the button a guides 12 and 14 are reciprocally disposed. The cente of the bulb mount 28 has a rectangular opening 36 through which the lower portion of the rectangular rod 16 passes and is reciprocated by movement of the frame 11. The rectangular opening 36 extends through a central boss 38 on the bottom of the bulb mount 28, which boss terminates in an abutment surface 40 for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

A centrally located bore disposed along the major axis of the rectangular bulb mount 28 and transverse to the opening 36 intersects the opening 36 so that such bore is divided into two bores which receive spring biased latches 42 and 44, respectively. The latches 42 and 44 may be of any conventional design having an inner cam follower portion 42c (44c) normally biased toward the opening 36 by a coil spring 425 (44s) surrounding the shaft of an outer latching element 422 (44c). As is shown in FIG. 8, the coil spring 42s (44s) is mounted in compression between the apertured stud at the bore end and the inner cam 42c (440). Only apertured stud 42p is shown in FIG. 8. The inner cam followers 420 and 440 cooperate with the camming surfaces defined by the edges of the actuator rod 16 to control the position of the outer latching elements 42c and 44e. The outer latching elements 42c and 44:2 extend through the bore end and protrude through apertured studs thereat to the exterior of the bulb mount 28 when cam followers 42c and 44c engage the cam surfaces defined by the depressions 22 and 24 at the end portion of rod 16 as shown in FIG. 2 and extend beyond the exterior of the bulb mount 28 when the cam followers 420 and 44c engage the cam surfaces presented by the portion of rod 16 above the projections 18 and 20.

The hollow rectangular housing or casing 46 has an upper peripheral flange 48 for panel mounting purposes and a pair of lower side walls 50 and 52. The lower side walls 58 and 52 are integral extensions of the upper side walls defining the housing 46 and such upper side walls have aligned openings 47 which receive the latching elements 42c and 44e of the bulb mount 28. The bottom end portions of side walls 50 and 52 are bent inwardly toward each other for attachment to a switch unit mount. The switch unit mount includes an upper fiat plate 54, centrally awrtured to receive the annular collar 56 of a guide bushing 58 axially align-able with the central aperture in a lower clamping plate 6! which is deformed downwardly in its central portion. The bent ends of side walls 58 and 52 are disposed between the upper and lower plates 54 and 66, all of which are secured as by rivets 62. One edge of upper plate 54 has a C-shaped clamp 64 depending therefrom while its opposite edge has a pair of C-shaped clamps 66 depending therefrom. With such an arrangement the switch C is merely snapped into assembled relationship between the clamps 64 and 66.

As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the operator actuated portion A is inserted into the top opening of casing 46. A stop in the form of a tab 7 bent inwardly from a corner of the casing 46 is engaged by the edge of the side wall 6 of frame 11 when the operator actuated portion is inserted or actuated after insertion to limit inward travel of the operator actuated portion A. The side walls 4 and 6 are similar in that the rear portion as shown in FIG. 1 is narrower than the forward portion. The tab 7 therefore serves to orient the operator actuated portion A to the casing. Thus, it cannot be inserted in the casing unless side wall 6 is positioned to engage tab 7. The bottom edge of the bulb mount 28 rests on stops 49 formed on the interior of the casing just below the side openings 47. A second set of similarly-formed stops 68 define a support for an electric power connecting block 70 positioned to cooperate with the bulbs 30 in the bulb mount 28. A plurality of spring biased contacts 71, one for each bulb contact 31, project from the upper surface of the block 70 into engagement with the respective contacts 31. Each contact 71 has a terminal lug 72 projecting from the lower surface of the block 70 and being adapted for electrical connection to a power source in conjunction with the switch C for control thereby. The block 70, which may be made of any suitable dielectric material has a central bore 73 the lower portion of which is reduced in diameter by an annular boss 74.

The motion translating unit B is shown in detail in FIGS. 7-9 and includes the motion translating portion 81 and the plunger portion 76. The plunger portion 76 of unit B includes a reciprocable housing in the form of a tubular member 104 closed at one end for contact with the switch unit C with a slotted opening at the other end for receiving the motion translating portion 81. Two inwardly directed flanges 5 define a portion of the slotted opening. A top view of the plunger portion 76 is shown in FIG. 12. In the embodiment shown, the closed end of the tubular member 104- is formed by a plug 78 attached to the tubular member 104 in some convenient manner such as spot welding. The closed end could also be made as an integral part of the tubular member 104. The closed end 78 of the plunger portion 76 extends through the guide bushing 58 at switch unit C end of the device. A snap ring 79 positioned in a peripheral groove in the plug 78 forming the closed end for the tubular member 164 engages the bushing 58 to limit upward movement of the plunger portion 76. The plunger portion is urged upwardly by a spring 75 held in compression between the annular boss 74 on terminal block and an annular flange 77 presented at the upper end of the tubular member 104. While the snap ring 79 is large enough in diameter to engage the guide bushing 58, it is small enough to clear the opening in the lower plate mounting 69 to permit movement therethrough during switch actuation. The spring 75 being in compression between the annular flange 77 on the top of tubular member 104 and the annular boss 74 formed in block 70 causes the block 70 to be biased in position against the n stops 68 and when compressed further by movement of the plunger portion 76 outwardly from the switch mounting end of casing 46 provides the needed return force for the plunger portion 76.

The motion translating portion 31 of the motion translating unit B has a motion translating bar 85 for engagement with the rod 16 of the operator actuated portion A. A lower rod 82 formed as an integral part of bar 85 is positioned to reciprocably slide in a blind bore longitudinally disposed in the plug 78 and offset from the longitudinal axis thereof. The bore 80 defines the axis upon which the motion translating portion 81 reciprocates. A portion of the rod 82 extends upwardly from the bore 8!). A coil spring 83 is mounted in compression between a washer 84 carried on the rod 82 and the lower end of the motion translating bar 85. The motion translating bar 85 has a generally rectangular outline with a curved outer wall 86 conforming to the curvature of the tubular member 104 to facilitate reciprocation therein. The top of motion translating bar 85 is a perpendicular flange 87, the free edge of which is similarly curved. On the surface opposite the curved wall 86, the motion translating bar 85 has a rectangular notch intermediate its lower end and top flange 87; the notch is defined by top and bottom shoulders providing abutments 8S and 89, respectively, spaced from each other by a vertical wall 99.

The abutment positioning means may be a slider 91 made of any suitable material having good bearing characteristics, such as nylon, which is positioned within the plunger portion 76 for movement between the abutments 88 and 89. The slider 91 has a generally H-shaped cross section formed by a pair of side walls 92 and 93 joined at center wall 94. The side walls 92 and 93 have fiat inner surfaces and arcuate outer surfaces conforming to the curvature of the tubular member 104 of the plunger portion 76. As is shown in FIG. 11, the top of slider 91 has a cross piece abutment extending between the top of the two side walls 92 and 93 in a direction from the center wall 94 toward the periphery of the H-shaped slider. This abutment 95 would appear as a hemisphere in cross section if extended to such periphery, however, the extension terminates short of the periphery and its dimension is such as to conform to the dimension of notch shoulders or abutments 88 and 89. With such an arrangement, the slider 91 is slidable on the motion translating bar 85 with its center wall 94 engaging the fiat wall portion of bar 85 and with its abutment 95 alternately engaging the shoulders or abutments 88 and 89. The slider center wall 94 is spaced slightly from the top abutment 95 to form a transverse slot. The opposite edges of top abutment 95 and center wall 94 are sloped to define a top cam surface 96 and a lower rest surface 97, respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, one side of the H-shaped slider 91 straddles the adjacent portion of the motion translating bar 85, while the other side provides a slot through which a lever 98 considered a part of the plunger portion of the motion translating unit B extends. The lever 98 is made of a flat elongated strip having its upper end bent inwardly toward the slider 91 and bar 85 and terminating in a rounded end 99 which cooperates with the slider rest 97 and the slider cam 96 and provides an abutment for the plunger portion which cooperates with abutment 88 of the motion translating portion 81. The lower end of the lever 98 has a fulcrum member 100 resting on the top surface of plug 78 and terminates in a bifurcated ledge 102 engaging the undersurface of the washer 34. The bifurcated ledge 102 extends at an acute angle with the main strip of lever 98 so that under the bias of the coil spring 83 the lever 98 is normally biased counterclockwise about the fulcrum 100 as viewed in FIG. 7; thus, the upper lever end 99 is always biased toward the bar 85 and slider 91 and is therefore positioned in accordance with the surfaces and abutments presented by the bar 85 and slider 91.

Operation In accordance with the present invention, replacement of bulbs 30 in the bulb mount 28 is accomplished without special tools or the need for skilled mechanics and the operator actuated portion A is easily reassembled in the casing 46 of the base unit B without causing actuation of the switch unit C.

Details regarding the positions of the parts of the motion translating unit B .prior to removal of the operator actuated unit A are shown in FIG. 9. The switch actuating mechanism is then in a ready to operate position. As shown in FIG. 6, the opening 36 in the block 70 is narrower than the width of the flange 87 of motion translating bar 85 so the bulb mount 28 provides a means limiting the movement of the motion translating portion -81 outwardly from the plunger portion 76 in response to the force supplied by spring 83 when the switch actuating mechanism is in the ready to operate position. The spring 75 has, of course, acted to draw the snap ring 77 carried by the plug 78 into contact with the bushing 58 secured to casing 46. The portion of actuator rod 16 above and adjacent projection 18 (20) is then in contact with the cam follower 42c (Me) to keep the operator actuated unit A in place with the abutment surface 26 of rod 16 adjacent the upper surface of flange 87. Any actuating movement of rod 16 downwardly is then translated directly to the plunger portion of the motion translating unit B via the motion translating portion 81 since the abutment 83 provided by portion 81 is in motion translating relationship with the abutment provided by the end 99 of lever 93 forming a part of plunger portion '76 thus providing a direct mechanical coupling between the motion translating portion 31 and the plunger portion 76 of unit B upon actuation of the operator actuated portion A.

To replace the bulbs 30 in the bulb mount 28, an upward force, as by pulling on the flanges of the lens 19 of the operator actuated portion A, is needed to cause upward movement of the actuator rod 16 from the position shown in FIG. 4 due to the frictional engagement of the inner cam follower portion 420 (440) with the upper surface of projection 18 (20). Upward movement of rod 16 causes the inner cam follower portion 420 (440) of latch 42 (44) to move in response to the cam surface presented by the projection 18 (20) on rod 16 and then in response to the surface presented by the depression 22 (24). With the cam follower portion 420 (44c) urged into contact with the edge of rod 16 at the depression 22 (24), the outer latching elements 42e (44s) are withdrawn from locking engagement with the side opening 47 in casing 46. The projection 23 (25) acts as a stop preventing further movement of rod 16 relative to the bulb mount 28 thus allowing the operator actuated portion A and the bulb mount 28 to be removed as a single unit from the casing 46 as shown in FIG. 2. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the bulbs 30 are then accessible for replacement.

Upon removal of the operator actuated portion A and the bulb mount 28 from the casing 46 the motion translating unit B assumes the position shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7. The position of the housing of the plunger portion 76 of unit B remains unchanged. Removal of the means for restricting outward movement of the motion translating portion 81 allows the motion translating bar 85 to move outwardly from the plunger portion 76. This outward movement of bar 85 causes the abutment 89 to engage the cross piece abutment 95 of the slider 91 causing the slider 91 and the motion translating bar 85 to move together until the slider 91 engages the flanges at the upper end of the tubular member 104 to terminate the out-ward movement of bar 85. Slider 91 is thus moved relative to and in contact with the lever 98 of the plunger portion 76 causing the end 99 of lever 98 to be moved outwardly in accordance with the cam surface presented by slider 91. The end 99 of lever 98 is positioned in the transverse slot in slider 91 present just below the abutment 95 upon termination of the movement of slider 91 and portion 81 by the stop provided by flanges 5 at the slotted end of the tubular member 104.

To assemble the switch mechanism for operation the operator actuated portion A positioned as shown in FIG. 2 is inserted in the casing 46 and an inwardly directed force applied to the lens whereupon the bulb mount 28 comes to rest on the housing stops 49; as is illustrated in FIG. 3. When the bulb mount 28 seats on the housing stops 49, the latches 42 and 44 are aligned with the housing openings 47. The boss 38 on the bulb mount 28 engages the flange 87 on the bar 85 of the motion translating portion 81 to displace the motion translating portion 81 a short distance relative to the plunger portion 76. The continued application of the inserting force effects continued downward movement of the rod 16 relative to the t bulb mount 28 and the inner cam portions 42c and 440 of latches 42 and 44. The latch cams 42c and 44c are displaced by the slopes presented by the projections 18 and above the rod depressions 22 and 24, respectively, causing the latching elements 42@ and 442 to be displaced outwardly through the housing slots 47. The portion of rod 16 above the projections 18 and 20 is wide enough to keep the latching elements 42:: and 44e in the housing slots 47. Thus, the bulb mount 28 is latched to the casing 46 but the rod 16 may be depressed relative to the bulb mount 28. The inserting force is continued on the lens 10 causing further downward movement of rod 16 which via its abutment surface 26 acts on the flanges 87 of motion translating bar 85 causing further movement of bar 85 against the bias of its coil spring 83 and relative to the plunger portion 76. Such movement of the bar 85 causes the spring 83 to be compressed. Prior to movement of the bar 85 the upper end 99 of lever 98 is in contact with the slider 91 at the transverse slot below the abutment 95 as shown in FIG. 7. Such contact of lever 98 with slider 91 causes the bar 85 to move relative to the slider 91 until the abutment 88 of bar 85 is brought into engagement with the upper surface of the cross piece 95 of slider 91. The bar 85 and slider 91 then move downward as a unit causing the upper end 99 of lever 98 to be positioned outwardly along the cam surface 96. The upper end 99 of lever 98 is thus displaced relative to bar 85 and slider 91 to a point above the slider 91 and the abutment 88 as the bar 85 and slider 91 are moved to the limit of their unitary downward movement. The downward movement of rod 16 and therefore bar 85 and slider 91 is limited by the stop 7 provided for the operator actuated portion. The edge of side wall 6 engages the tab 7 to stop the inward movement of the operator actuated portion. The position of the motion translating portion 81 relative to the plunger portion 76 upon termination of the downward movement of the rod 16 is shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 8. As has been mentioned, the force required .to compress spring 83 is less than that required to compress spring so there is no displacement of the plunger portion 76 due to the force used for the initial insertion of the operator actuated portion A into the casing 46 and its engagement with and the limited displacement of the motion translating portion 81 via the rod 16 as has been described.

Upon release of the inserting force, the energy stored in the compressed spring 83 moves the bar 85 upwardly from its position in FIG. 8 to the position in FIG. 9 where the top flange 87 engages the lower end of boss 38. The rod 16 is also carried upward to the position shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 9. During this limited upward movement of bar 85 the bar 85 moves relative to the slider 91 with the abutment shoulder 88 of bar 85 moving away from the slider abutment 95. As the bar 85 moves upward the notch in bar 85 between abutments 88 and 89 is presented to the upper end 99 of lever 98 which is normally biased counterclockwise about its fulcrum 100, allowing the lever end 99 to move into the notch of the plunger bar 85 for subsequent engagement with the abutment 88 of the bar 85 upon the application of an actuating force to the lens 10. The relative positions of the components for the actuating means are then as shown in FIGS. 4 and 9 and present a ready to actuate condition.

During the insertion of the operator actuated portion A and the lamp mount 28 in the casing 46 and its opera tion on the motion translation portion B as represented in the sequences from FIGS. 2 through 4 and from FIGS. 7 through 9, the switch unit C has not been actuated since the force applied via the operator actuated portion A only moves the motion translating bar 85 to compress spring 83 which requires less force to compress it than spring 75 which must be compressed if the plunger portion 76 is to move which is necessary to the operation of the switch unit C. A different situation is presented when the actuating means is in the ready to actuate position per FIGS. 4 and 9. When so positioned an actuating force applied to the lens 10 causes the actuator rod 16 to move downwardly with its abutment surface 26 in engagement with the top flange 87 of the motion translating bar 85 causing the bar 85 to move downwardly. Since the lever 98 then presents an abutment 99 for immediate engagement with the abutment 88 of the bar 85, downward movement of the bar 85 is transmitted directly to plunger portion 76 via its lever 98 and end plug 78 causing the spring 75 positioned between the flange 77 and boss 74 to be compressed. Accordingly, the entire actuating means moves as a unit downwardly causing the plug 78 of the motion transmitting portion 81 to operate the switch unit C. FIG. 5 shows the actuating means at the limit of its downward travel which is determined by the engagement of the operator actuated portion A with the stop tab 7 formed in the casing 46 for such purpose. Upon release of the actuating force on the lens 10, the entire actuating means is returned by the energy stored in the compressed coil spring 75 to its ready to actuate position as represented in FIGS. 4 and 9. Repeated operation of the switch unit C by depression of the lens 10 does not affect the motion translating relationship of the abutment 99 on lever 98 with the abutment 88 provided by the motion translating portion 81. With the above arrangement, it is now apparent that actuating means comprising the operator actuated portion A and its associated bulb mount 28, the motion translating unit B having a motion translating portion 81 and plunger portion 76 with its housing and lever 98, which provides an operating abutment 99 for the plunger portion, permits removal of a portion of the switch assembly from the front of the panel in which it is mounted to permit bulb replacement or other repair and adjustment, and permits reassembly of the removal portion without any danger during such reassembly of operating the switch unit C secured to the end of the switch casing. The key to such operation lies in the motion translating unit B which can be viewed as having a first and second subassembly each providing a motion translating abutment. These abutments by an abutment positioning means are displaced relative to one another upon initial movement of the subassemblies toward one another with such displacement of the abutments preventing engagement of the abutments, the abutments being brought into position for engagement with one another upon subsequent limited movement of the two subassemblies in the opposite direction to permit the two subassemblies to operate as a motion translating unit in response to relative movement of the subassemblies toward one another. The abutment positioning means is effective to displace the abutments from their motion translating position when the two subassemblies are moved away from each other in excess of subsequent limited movement referred to above. The initial movement of the two subassemblies toward one another occurs during insertion of the operator actuated portion A and the subsequent limited movement of the two subassemblies occurs upon release of the inserting force. Subsequent movement of the subassemblies as an effective motion translating unit occurs when the operator actuated portion A has an operating force applied to it.

Many terms used in the above description, such as inward, upward, etc., are merely used t odescribe the particular drawing arrangements and are not to be deemed as actual arrangements. The location of the entire assembly need not be installed on a vertical axis but rather, in most installations is aligned on a horizontal aXis by mounting behind a console or panel board.

Inasmuch as the preferred embodiment of the present invention is subject to many modifications, variations and changes in detail, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown on the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A motion translating assembly including a first subassembly having a first motion translating abutment,

a second subassembly having a second motion translating abutment,

said first and second subassemblies positioned to assume a motion translating position from a non-motion translating position by initial movement of said first and second subassemblies relative to one another toward and beyond said motion translating position followed by relative motion of said first and second subassemblies in the opposite direction to at least said motion translating position,

means engaging at least one of said first and second subassemblies causing said first and second motion translating abutments to be displaced relative to one another during at least a portion of said initial movement preventing engagement of said abutments and upon said first and second subassemblies being subsequently moved relative to one another in the opposite direction to at least said motion translating position permitting said first and second motion translating abutments to assume a motion translating position, either one of said first and second subassemblies when then moved toward the other causing said first and second abutments to engage thereby permitting said first and second subassemblies to be operated as a motion translating assembly. 2. The motion translating assembly according to claim 1 wherein said means includes a cam member.

3. The motion translating assembly according to claim 2 wherein said cam member is movable.

4. The motion translating assembly according to claim 1 wherein said means includes a cam member movable with respect to said first and second subassemblies in response to relative movement of said first and second subassemblies, said first and second subassemblies having stops limiting the movement of said cam member due to relative movement of said first and second subassemblies. 5. The motion translating assembly according to claim 2 wherein said first and second subassemblies includes an element biased for cam following engagement with said cam member.

6. The motion translating assembly according to claim 5 wherein said element includes one of said first and second motion translating abutments.

7. The motion translating assembly according to claim 5 wherein said element includes an elongated arm having a free end portion with one of said first and second motion translating abutments included in said free end portion.

8. The motion translating assembly according to claim 1 further including a first spring positioned for compression by said initial movement to provide a force for automatically moving said first and second subassemblies relative to one another in the direction opposite to said initial movement upon release of the force used to provide said initial movement.

9. The motion translating assembly according to claim 8 further including a second spring positioned for compression by translating movement of said first and second subassemblies, said second spring requiring a greater force to compress it than is required to compress said first spring.

10. In a push button switch assembly, the combination comprising a casing;

an operator actuated portion removably insertable into said casing; and a motion translating unit disposed between said operator actuated portion and the other end of said casing for translating movement of said operator actuated portion to said other end of said casing, said unit including (A) first means engagable by said actuated portion for movement thereby and (B) second means placed in engaging relationship with said first means for translating the movement of said operator actuated portion, said relationship being obtained by movement of said first means toward said second means followed by limited retraction of said first means relative to said second means, whereby initial movement of said operator actuated portion due to insertion of said operator actuated portion in said casing does not result in translation of said second means.

11. In -a push button switch actuating assembly, the combination comprising:

a casing,

actuating means mounted in said casing including (A) an operator actuated portion slidably disposed at one end of said casing, said portion arranged for withdrawal from an operating position in said casing and for insertion in said casing to establish an operating position,

(B) a plunger portion movable with respect to said casing at the other end of said casing for operating a switch apparatus when positioned for engagement by said plunger portion and (C) a motion translating portion intermediate 1 i said operator actuated portion and said plunger portion;

said plunger portion having a first motion translating abutment;

said motion translating portion having a second translating abutment;

said operator actuated portion positioned to cause said motion translating portion to move toward said one end of said casing when said operator actuated portion is inserted in said casing;

abutment positioning means operated in response to movement of said motion translating portion caused by insertion of said operator actuated portion to displace at least one of said first and second translating abutments preventing said abutments from assuming a motion translating position during insertion of said operator actuated portion;

first means biasing said plunger portion toward said one end of said casing;

second means biasing said motion translating portion toward said operator actuated portion with a force which is less than the biasing force of said first means which upon removal of the force applied to insert said removable portion causes said motion translating portion and said operator actuated portion to move toward said one end of said casing and rela tive to said plunger portion to an operating position, such relative movement of said motion translating portion and said plunger portion being sufficient to position said first and second motion translating abutments in a motion translating position, subsequent movement of said operator actuated portion from said operating position toward said other end of said casing then being translated directly to said plunger portion via said motion translating portion with said biasing means for said plunger causing said plunger portion, motion translating portion and operator actuated portion to return to said operating position upon removal of the force applied to move said operator actuated portion for said subsequent movement.

12. A push button switch actuating assembly according to claim 11 wherein said abutment positioning means is a cam member.

13. A push button switch actuating assembly according to claim 12 wherein said cam member is slida-bly disposed on one of said plunger and motion translating portions.

14. A push button switch actuating assembly according to claim 12 wherein one of said first and second motion translating abutments is part of an element biased for cam following engagement with said cam member.

15. A push button switch actuating assembly according to claim 11 wherein said abutment positioning means is a cam member slidably disposed on one of said plunger and motion translating portions, said other of said plunger and motion translating portions having an element biased for cam following engagement with said cam member, said element including one of said first and second motion translating abutments.

16. A push button switch actuating assembly according to claim 11 wherein said plunger portion includes a tubular member with said motion translating portion positioned for sliding movement within said tubular member and for contact by said operator actuated portion.

17. A push button switch actuating assembly according to claim 16 wherein said abutment positioning means is positioned within said tubular member.

18. A push type switch operating device comprising a casing having a motion limiting stop;

actuating means movable with respect to said casing including (A) an operator actuated portion removably insertable into said casing and, (B) a motion translating assembly comprising (l) a first subassembly having a first motion translating abutment,

(2) a second subassembly having a second motion translating abutment;

a first force-applying means biasing said first subassembly inwardly of said casing toward said operator actuated portion and into engagement with said stop;

a second force-applying means providing less force than said first force-applying means with such force tending to separate said second subassembly from said first subassembly, such force producing a separation movement when said operator actuator portion is removed from said casing which places said first and second subassemblies in a non-motion translating position;

said first and second subassemblies assuming a motion translating position from said non-motion translating position by initial movement of said second subassembly toward said first subassembly and beyond said motion translating position followed by a separation movement of said second subassembly due to said second force-applying means to at least said motion translating position,

means presented by insertion of said operator actuated portion limiting said separation movement of said second subassembly away from said first subassembly due to said second force-applying means to place said subassemblies between said motion translating position and said non-motion translating position,

said operator actuated portion during insertion movement into said casing causing said operator actuated portion to engage and provide said initial movement of said second subassembly with release of the force needed for insertion of said operator actuated portion permitting said second force-applying means to move said second subassembly away from said first subassembly to the limit provided by said means and move said operator actuated portion to a ready-tooperate position; and

means engaging at least one of said first and second subassemblies during at least a portion of said initial movement causing said first and second motion translating abutments to be displaced relative to one another preventing engagement of said abutments and upon said separation movement of said second subassembly to at least said motion translating osition permitting said first and second motion translating abutments to assume said motion translating position, said second subassembly when subsequently moved toward the first subassembly by an actuating force applied to said operator actuated portion causing said first and second abutments to engage to translate the movement of said operator actuated portion to said first subassembly via said second subassembly to carry said first subassembly away from said motion limiting stop, said first force-applying means moving said operator actuated portion to said ready-to-operate position via said motion translating assembly upon release of said actuating force.

19. A push type switch operating device according to claim 18 wherein said casing has a second motion limiting stop engaged by said operator actuated portion for limiting the movement of said operator actuated portion during insertion and operation of said operator actuated portion.

20. A push type switch operating device according to claim 18 wherein said means limiting said separation movement of said second assembly comprises a base member inserted in said casing with said operator actuated portion, said base member having holding means cooperable with said casing to establish the position of said base in said casing.

(References on foilowing page) References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 1,145,797 5/1957 France. Ley 200-172 Koertge et ROBERT K. SCHAEFER P E Ensign et a1. 74503 5 nmary xammer' Ryan 20Q 172 H. BURKS, Assistant Examiner.

Pfianz ZOO-153.12 

